TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Roddy puts Freshford in sight of title

A 2-0 VICTORY for leaders Freshford United away at second-placed North Bradley moved Chris Birleson’s side to within one victory of being crowned Division One champions.

Not for the first time this term Bradley were missing key players for what was a must-win game for Chris Carr’s side if they were to keep pace with Freshford in the hunt for the title.

Again it proved to be their undoing as a mistake from Carr gifted the ball to Mark Gerrish who provided the assist for Steve Roddy who fired Freshford ahead.

The points were sealed in the first half, an error from Paul Ranger led to Mark Gerrish setting up Roddy for his second of the game which means that if the villagers win one of their four remaining games they will be crown champions for the first time since 2006.

Bradford United 2 Warminster Town Reserves 0

WARMINSTER Town Reserves became the first side in the top flight to complete their fixtures.

However their 2-0 loss at Bradford United wouldn’t have been the way Andy McFerran would have wanted his team's first campaign in the division to have ended.

Bradford, who hadn’t been at their best in recent weeks, rediscovered their mojo as after draws against Semington Magpies and Trowbridge Wanderers they found the winning habit again.

After goalless first 45 minutes in which Phil Little and Mitchell Hamber both struck the woodwork for Bradford it looked as if they were set to draw another blank.

With 20 minutes remaining Bradford broke the deadlock, Tom Bouquet heading home a Aiden Lane cross to make it 1-0 and with five minutes remaining Theo Sing, playing his last game for Bradford before heading off to America, broke clear from his own half and produced a quality finish to seal victory for Anthony Ottavanio’s side.

Steeple Ashton 1 Castle Combe 3

STEEPLE Ashton, who had a brilliant victory over Westbury United Reserves in their previous outing, were unable to reach the highs of a fortnight ago as they came back to earth with a bang following their 3-1 loss to Castle Combe.

Ashton, with an ever-growing injury list, had to use Marc Sheppard as their stand-in keeper and although the villager’s hotshot striker had a fine game between the posts he couldn’t prevent Quinnan Tarawai from giving Combe the lead.

Ashton fashioned an equaliser on the stroke of half time, Rafal Whitcher’s shot deflecting in off Guy Rowley to give the forward his 11th goal of the season.

The second half saw Combe up their game and they reclaimed the lead via Ollie Bate before a second of the afternoon from Quinnan Tarawai sealed victory number seven of the season for Paul Sanderson’s men.

The Lamb FC 4 Calne Eagles 2

FOURTH-PLACED The Lamb kept up their chances of finishing runners-up in their first season in the top flight with a 4-2 over Calne Eagles.

The game was high in quality and sportsmanship throughout with both teams playing their part in a highly entertaining encounter.

Calne started brightly and took the lead after only 10 minutes when good work from strikers Lawrence Elliott and Stu Windsor set up winger Jake Goodwin who finished superbly from 15 yards out.

The Lamb equalised only two minutes later with a superbly-taken goal from man-of-the-match Sean O’Brien, who turned his marker on the edge of the box and fired home a controlled shot into the bottom corner of the goal.

Undeterred, Calne continued to play some great attacking football and they once again took the lead after 20 minutes when livewire midfielder Jordan Winter found the top corner from 25 yards out with a great right-footed drive.

The Lamb once again equalised after 28 minutes in somewhat fortuitous circumstances.

Winger Chad Cain’s in-swinging cross was missed by both the defenders and attackers before curling in at the far post with Calne keeper Andy Windsor totally stranded.

However, if The Lamb’s equaliser was somewhat lucky, their third goal was superb. Striker Bradley Whitham picked up the ball from 25 yards out and fired an absolutely unstoppable shot into the top corner of goal giving goalkeeper Andy Windsor no chance.

Just before half time Calne Eagles striker Stu Windsor, who was struggling with a hamstring injury, missed a golden opportunity to equalise when he sent a close range effort just wide of the post.

In the second half the game petered out slightly. The Lamb enjoyed more possession, but Calne still looked dangerous on the break, especially through sub Billy Gleed who looked sharp on his debut.

With five minutes remaining, sub Jack Packer scored from 10 yards out after being set up by team mate Sean O’Brien. This goal was enough to settle a hard fought contest and give The Lamb another three points in their quest for second place.

Trowbridge Wanderers 0 Westbury United Reserves 9

WESTBURY United Reserves who have been wasteful in front of goal in previous games found they scoring boots against bottom of the table Trowbridge Wanderers whose 9-0 defeat means that they have been relegated.

Westbury took the lead through Matt Dyer and a Conner McKay double put them 3-0 up at the break.

After the interval Westbury got their sights firmly fixed on goal as they bagged six unanswered goals. Drew Adams, Gary Tugwell with a hat-trick and substitute Jack Scully made up the nine.

TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE ROUNDUP, STATS AND PICTURES IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES AND FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport and @WTSport

Ipsoregulated

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here